AP GOV UNIT 2 - EXEC, BUREAUCRACIES, AND PRESIDENTIAL POWERS

Senate

confirms cabinet appointments

Senate

confirms judges

Senate

ratifies treaties

Senate

holds impeachment hearings with a 2/3 vote needed to convict

Senate

100 members, 6 year terms

Senate

more influential on appointments and foreign affairs

Senate

unlimited debates including the filibuster

House

435 members, 2 year term

House

initiates all revenue bills, more influential on budget

House

limited debates

House

issues Articles of Impeachment, with majority vote

House

selects the president if there is no winner in the EC

delegate

elected to carry out constituents’ wishes

trustee

elected to use their experience and make independent decisions

politico

elected as politicians who want to get reelected and to carry out party goals

incumbency advantage

credit claiming (credit for policies),

Casework (help to individuals)

Franking privileges (free use of main system)

redistricting

changing the district boundaries so that population groups are even based on the census

gerrymandering

when districts are drawn to help or hurt a political party, group, or incumbent

house

led by speaker of the house (elected by house members)

house

majority leader, minority leader, and whips

senate

officially led by Vice President - really led by Majority leader

House Rules Committee

assigns “rules” to bills, including whether debate will be allowed

house appropriations committee

sets funds for specific projects and programs

house ways and means committee

considers tax bills

senate finance committee

considers tax bills

logrolling

exchanging votes for favors

discharge petition

used to bring a bill to the whole house or senate, without a report by a committee

Executive Branch

to enforce laws

President Requirement

• natural born citizen

• 35+ years old

• resident of the US for 14+ yrs

Vice President

chosen by the presidential candidate during election time

“balancing the ticket” - represents different qualities